Package for tea and like commodities



Nov. 9, 1943. c, H. HANSEN PACKAGE FOR TEA AND LIKE COMMODITIES Filed Feb. 1, 1941 INVENTOR. 52m $4 fi a/rwlm ATTORNEK Patented Nov. 9, 1943 PACKAGE FOR TEA AND LIKE COMMODITIES Carl H. Hansen, Oakland, Calif.

Application February 1, 1941, Serial No. 377,017

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in the packaging of infusion beverage producing ingredients, and more particularly to a new and improved package for tea and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a practical, inexpensive and sanitary package for dispensing tea and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact package for individual portions of an infusion product that has improved sanitary features and provides a means whereby the product, after infusion, may be conveniently disposed of in a clean and efiicient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved package for tea and the like having a bail forming string by means of which it may be immersed and withdrawn from a cup and in which the bail forming string is held in a non-tangling manner by an outer enclosing envelope into which the wet bag may be placed for disposal after use.

In serving tea and the like, particularly in restaurants, it is now the practice to serve the patron with the tea or like commodity in a porous container which the patron is required to place in a cup of hot water until a desired degree of infusion has taken place. With this practice, after the infusion has occurred, the bag is removed from the cup and placed in the saucer and, as a result, considerable of the infused beverage is thus transferred to the saucer and to the bottom of the cup from where it will drip upon the tablecloth or clothes of the patron. This is very objectionable and it is, therefor, a further object of the present invention to provide a compact package by means of which tea and like products may be first served to the patron in a completely enclosed and sanitary manner and finally disposed of after infusion without subjecting the patron to the above objectionable circumstances.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be in part evident to those skilled in the art and in part pointed out hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawing.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing;

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a container of preferred form in its closed condition,

Figure 2 is a. perspective view of my invention with the container opened and ready for use, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the invention in use with a cup.

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, my invention, when constructed in its preferred form, will provide a relatively thin, fiat package which will completely enclose the tea or other commodity and at the same time present a surface of considerable size upon which desirable advertising and other matter may be efiectively displayed. When the outer container of the package, designated by the numeral I0, is provided with a sealing sticker ll, the ultimate consumer will then receive the package with the assurance that its contents has not become contaminated by any preliminary handling thereof. While theparticular construction and shape of the outer container i0 is not a primary consideration, it is important that it be so constructed that upon an opening thereof, it will remain in an upright position.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, a preferred construction for the outer container I0 is one similar to that commonly used in paper bags of the type referred to as having a satchel bottom. With such a container, it will readily be seen that when opened, its side and end walls will remain in a substantially vertical position and thus present an open container from which a porous tea or other commodity containing bag 92 may be easily withdrawn by means of a string l3. While the string I3 is here shown as attached to and forming a tie means between the outer container I0 and the porous tea containing bag [2, it is to be understood that the string [3 need not necessarily be permanently attached to the outer container Ill, as shown. In this latter event, the string [3, may, if desired, be provided with a gripping tag, such as is now the practice. The preferred arrangement, however, contemplates a more or less permanent attachment of the string 53 to both the outer container in and the inner container l2, as in this manner the two elements will be held in properly associated relation for a full and complete utilization of the advantages provided'by the invention.

The construction of the inner tea bag I2 may take many forms. For example, it may be made of a perforated paper-like material suitable for infusion, or it may be constructed of gauze, as is well understood in this art. Likewise, the material of which the outer container 10 is formed is not of great importance. It can be constructed of ordinary paper and provided with a waterproof lining, or it may be constructed in its entirety of a waterproofed paper. It is also contemplated that material such as commercial Cellophane, "Kodapak" and Pliofllm" or like materials of a cellulosic or synthetic character, whether transparent or otherwise, may be used for the outer container I0. I

As shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, when the outer container l has been opened and the inner container l2, with its tea or other commodity, is placed in a cup of hot water I 4, the string or tie means l3 will serve to retain the outer container I0 closely adjacent the cup where the inner container I2, with its wet contents, may be conveniently transferred to the outer container III for final disposal.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A package for dispensing tea, comprising an inner bag of porous material containing dry tea leaves adapted to be immersed in a liquid to produce a beverage, an outer container adapted to fold over and form a sanitary protective cover for said inner bag and its contents up to the time of use, said outer container being of water-tight construction and having foldable side walls adapted to stand upright when unfolded to provide an open receptacle for disposal of the wet inner bag and contents after use, and a bail forming string connecting said inner bag to a wall of said outer container enclosed by said outer container and by which said inner bag when dry'may be first withdrawn from said outer container for immersion and when wetfinally returned to said outer container for disposal. 5 2. A package for infusion commodities, comprising a flat envelope-like container of porous material having a dry infusion commodity there in adapted to be immersed in a liquid to produce a beverage, an outer container having a flat bottom upon which said envelope-like container and contents rest when dry and foldable side walls adapted to be folded thereover, said foldable side walls being also adapted to remain upright when unfolded to provide an open receptacle for said inner container and its contents after immersion, means forming a tie between said inner container and the edge of an infolded wall of said outer container also enclosed by said outer container and by which said inner container maybe withdrawn from said outer container when opened, immersed and finally returned to said outer container for disposal in a convenient and sanitary manner, and means for securing the side walls of said outer container in their folded position.

3. A package for infusion commodities, comprising a container of porous material having a dry infusion commodity therein and adapted to be immersed in a liquid to produce a beverage, an outer container having a flat bottom and folding side walls adapted when folded to enclose said container of porous material and its dry contents and when unfolded to remain upright to provide an open receptacle for said inner container and its moist contents after immersion,'and means forming a permanent tie between said inner container and a wall of said outer container by which said inner container may be withdrawn from said outer container immersed in a liquid and subsequently returned to said outer container for final 0 disposal in a convenient and sanitary manner.

CARL H. HANSEN 

